Refractory Cement

Why Was Asbestos Used in Refractory Cement?

Every type of cement must be tough and durable, but Refractory Cement is specifically designed to be strong, long lasting and able to endure even the highest of temperatures. It is used in areas that are subjected to intense heat and even fire, which is why asbestos was so perfect as the primary ingredient.

The naturally occurring material known as asbestos is a fire retardant material that is found in large deposits. For years, it was mined by the ton and used in hundreds of heavy duty products. It helped to make construction goods such as cement stubbornly hold together even under the most severe circumstances. To put it simply, it takes a lot to crack or break this stuff.

Refractory Cemement becomes Dangerous As It Falls Apart Overtime

Regardless of its great strength, over time even Refractory Cement can start to fall apart. When this does happen, small dust particles of asbestos can escape and get into the air. Instances such as this would allow for unsuspecting people to breathe this dust in, and have it settle inside of their respiratory system. Once there, the dust can cause massive tissue scarring and lead to a respiratory disorder called asbestosis. Conditions can become even worse from there, and affected individuals might even develop a cancerous disease known as mesothelioma. It is incurable and the number of mesothelioma survivors is low. There are different types of malignant mesothelioma including pleural, peritoneal and pericardial, and there are different mesothelioma cell types as well including biphasic mesothelioma, papillary mesothelioma and sarcomatoid mesothelioma.

Decades passed before the general public in America became aware of these dangers. When they did, they reacted by filing personal injury claims against the manufacturers to demand monetary compensation. Another result was that companies stopped using the hazardous mineral entirely. Most did, that is, but others kept quiet about their ongoing usage of the toxic substance. So many people were harmed as a result that the Environmental Protection Agency stepped in and banned asbestos altogether. Manufacturers were finally forced to stop producing dangerous products to save themselves some money.

Wide-spread inclusion of asbestos in commodities like Refractory Cement and hundreds of other items meant that people everywhere were exposed to it. Many people have been afflicted to date, and the numbers may continue to rise, because no one knows how many contaminated products are still out there. Durable cement patches are probably safe for the most part, but if they are broken they could become a threat to anyone nearby.

Refractory Cement Products Containing Asbestos

The following partial list of refractory cement products were known to contain asbestos:

Product Name

Start Year

End Year

A.P. Green Kast-O-Lite Refractory Cement

1956

1972

A.P. Green No. 36 Refractory Cement

A.P. Green Refractory Cement

Babcock & Wilcox Refractory Products

Combustion Engineering Block Stick

1963

1972

Combustion Engineering Expansion Joint Hat

1963

1966

Combustion Engineering Gunisul

1963

1966

Combustion Engineering Lite Wate 22

1969

1972

Combustion Engineering Lite Wate 50

1969

1972

Combustion Engineering Mix A

1963

1972

Harbison Walker Metalkase Chromex 8

1964

1970

Harbison Walker Micacrete 7/H-W 21-63

1963

1975

Johns Manville 319 Semi-Refractory Cement

1925

1969

Kaiser Aluminum Plastic K-N Refractory Cement

Quigley Insulag Refractory Cement

1935

1974

Quigley Insulbox Refractory Cement

1935

1974

Quigley Insuline Refractory Cement

1940

1970

Quigley Panelag Refractory Cement

1945

1974

Quigley Panelbond Refractory Cement

1940

1974

Have You Been Exposed?

If you were responsible for mixing or installing Refractory Cement, you may have unknowingly inhaled trace amounts of toxins. Check with your doctor to receive a thorough examination, and if you have been afflicted contact us to receive a free brochure on your rights and legal recourses.

Notice: This website and its content are sponsored by JAMES F. EARLY, LLC, a law firm specializing in asbestos injury litigation. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not predict a similar outcome. Please read our disclaimer for more information.